Premier’s mid-air drama forces China flight turnaround

A state premier’s highly anticipated trade trip to China has had to be pushed back following an in-flight emergency.

A flight carrying Western Australia’s Premier has had to turn back to Perth Airport after a mid-air medical emergency.

In the early hours of Monday morning Mark McGowan was Singapore-bound for a connecting flight to Beijing to kick off the first of a five-day trade mission but he ended up back in Perth when, after about an hour into the flight, a passenger on board the Singapore Airlines flight suffered a stroke.

WA Premier Mark McGowan was delayed in starting his trade mission to China after his Monday morning flight to Singapore needed to turn around when a passenger suffered an apparent stroke. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Philip Gostelow

Fortunately for the passenger, it’s understood a doctor was on board to assist.

“My thoughts are with the man and his family,” said Mr McGowan.

“From where we were it looked very serious, but the staff on board were fantastic, as were the passengers who did their best to help in what was clearly a very serious situation.

“We are now currently in Singapore, awaiting the next flight to Beijing.”

It’s understood Mr McGowan and his team will fly out of Singapore Monday evening, heading for the Chinese capital.

A key part of the trip was going to be a meeting with China Southern Airlines to resume flights between Perth and the major Chinese trade hub of Guangzhou, which were halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

But Mr McGowan on Sunday confirmed that trip to Guangzhou been cancelled due to scheduling conflicts with the head of China Southern.

He will, however, be meeting with other airlines in Beijing.

“We are committed to achieving our goal associated with the China trade mission and, if required, we will stay longer to ensure all key meetings can still occur,” the Premier said.

Originally published as Premier’s mid-air drama forces China flight turnaround